Optical fiber rearrangement device with containment channels

ABSTRACT

A device for rearranging optical fibers has a proximal and distal end. The ends have openings therein to allow optical fibers to pass therethrough. The openings in the distal end have a width that is less than twice the optical fiber&#39;s diameter. Dividers separate the distal end openings and have a projection that narrows the distal openings to prevent the optical fibers from accidentally moving out of the openings. A lid is also provided to assist with organization and compression of the optical fibers.

REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) toprovisional application No. 62/205,687 filed on Aug. 15, 2015, and under35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/237,561, filed onAug. 15, 2016, and also to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/046,152,filed on Jul. 26, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Optical fiber cables and ribbons typically have twelve optical fibers orsets of twelve optical fibers. The optical fibers in these sets ofoptical fibers are colored and an in a particular order, therebyallowing those working with the optical fibers an easy way to identifythe optical fibers within each set. As is known in the art, the colorsand order of the optical fibers is blue, orange, green, brown, slate,white, red, black, yellow, violet, rose, and aqua. However, there aresituations where the optical fibers of one color from a number of setsof optical fibers need to be arranged in a grouping. For example, theblue optical fibers from a number of fiber optic ribbons need to begrouped together. These groupings of optical fibers then can beribbonized, bundled, placed in a heat shrink tube, or covered with acable jacket or other protective device. This is generally known as aoptical fiber shuffle.

Currently, the shuffle is being done by hand or a combination of a veryexpensive machine that positions the fibers on an adhesive sheet placedon a table. As illustrated in FIG. 1, there are five fiber optic cables10 (but could also be ribbons), each of which have 12 optical fibers.The first optical fiber 12 in each of the fiber optic cables 10 arerouted to a first position 14 on an adhesive sheet 16. Then the secondoptical fiber 18 from each of the fiber optic cables 10 is routed to asecond position 20 on the adhesive sheet 16. As illustrated in FIG. 1,there are a number of optical fibers at the bottom of the figure thatare yet to be placed on the adhesive sheet 16. Typically, the machinedistributes the first optical fiber 12 from each of the fiber-opticcables 10 on the adhesive sheet 16. The technician then places thesubsequent 11 optical fibers on the adhesive sheet 16. However, themachine could place all of the fibers as required. Also as illustratedin FIG. 1, a heat shrink 22 or other protective device can be used toprotect the distributed optical fibers. This procedure it is timeconsuming, requires expert manual dexterity, and expensive when themachine is involved. Although the example above reorganizes the fibersso that each ribbon consists of fibers all the same color, the ribboncould be made using any colored fibers in any order. Thus, a device thatallows for optical fibers to be easily and repeatedly shuffled orreorganized is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device for reorganizing opticalfibers from a first grouping to a second grouping that includes aproximal end having at least one opening through which the opticalfibers pass, a distal end having a first plurality of openings throughwhich the optical fibers pass, each of the first plurality of openingshaving a divider therebetween, each opening in the first plurality ofopenings having a width that is less than twice the optical fiber'sdiameter.

In some embodiments, the at least one opening at the proximal endcomprises a second plurality of openings, each of the openings in thesecond plurality of openings having a divider therebetween.

In some other embodiments, the device also includes at least one, andusually two, projection extending into each of the first plurality ofopenings, the projection narrowing the opening to less than a diameterof an optical fiber.

In another embodiment, the dividers at the proximal end and the distalend have an upper surface, the upper surface being flat and parallel toan axis extending along a length of the optical fibers and furthercomprising a lid, the lid having a main body portion to engage the uppersurfaces of the dividers, the lid having at least four edges and oneside portion, the side portion extending from the main body adjacent oneedge in a generally orthogonal direction, the side portion aligning withthe distal end to compress the optical fibers in each of the firstplurality of openings.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is a devicefor reorganizing optical fibers from a first grouping to a secondgrouping that includes a proximal end having at least one openingthrough which the optical fibers pass, a distal end having a firstplurality of openings through which the optical fibers pass, each of thefirst plurality of openings having a divider therebetween, each of thefirst plurality of openings having a width that is less than twice theoptical fiber's diameter, and two side walls extending between theproximal and distal ends to generally form a rectangular structure, theside walls and the dividers having a top surface.

According to yet another embodiment, a device for reorganizing opticalfibers from a first grouping of optical fibers to a second grouping ofoptical fibers that includes a proximal end having at least one openingthrough which the optical fibers pass, and a distal end having a firstplurality of openings through which the optical fibers pass, each of thefirst plurality of openings having a divider therebetween, each openingin the first plurality of openings having a width that is less thantwice the optical fiber's diameter, wherein the first grouping includesat least two sets of a first plurality of optical fibers and the secondgrouping of optical fibers includes at least two sets of a secondplurality of optical fibers, no two optical fibers being in the same setof optical fibers in the first and second groupings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present embodiments of theinvention are intended to provide an overview or framework forunderstanding the nature and character of the invention as it isclaimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitutea part of this specification. The drawings illustrate variousembodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serveto explain the principles and operations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a prior art method of rearranging opticalfibers;

FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of a device for reorganizingoptical fibers according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device for reorganizing opticalfibers in FIG. 2 showing the ribbonization of the optical fibers afterreorganization;

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of a device for reorganizing optical fibersaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4A is perspective view of the device in FIG. 4 from the oppositeside;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the distal end of thedevice for reorganizing optical fibers of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device for reorganizing opticalfibers of FIG. 4 with a lid;

FIG. 7A is a partial view from the top of the device for reorganizingoptical fibers in FIG. 4 with the ends of the reorganized optical fibersbeing treated;

FIG. 7B is a partial view from the top of the device for reorganizingoptical fibers in FIG. 4 with the ends of the reorganized optical fibersbeing treated;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device for reorganizing opticalfibers of FIG. 4 with a different lid;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a another embodiment of a device forreorganizing optical fibers according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a another embodiment of a device forreorganizing optical fibers according to the present invention that issimilar to FIG. 9 but with more openings for optical fibers;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a another embodiment of a device forreorganizing optical fibers according to the present invention in afirst position; and

FIG. 12 illustrates the device in FIG. 11 in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numeralswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a device 100 for reorganizing optical fibers102 from a first grouping or set 104 to a second grouping or set 106 isillustrated. The first grouping or set 104 of optical fibers may includea fiber optic cable that has twelve loose or ribbonized optical fibers102. The first grouping 104 of optical fibers 102 may also be 12 (ormore or fewer) ribbonized optical fibers 102 that may or may not haveanother protective covering. However, as noted above, the optical fibers102 in a cable or ribbon are in order by color: blue, orange, green,brown, slate, white, red, black, yellow, violet, rose, and aqua. Thedevice 100 has a proximal end 108 having a number of openings 110through which the optical fibers 102 in the first grouping 104 pass. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the openings 110 are essentially U-shapedand include a divider 112 between each of the openings and a bottomportion 114 to define each of the openings 110. The bottom portion 114,which may extend the length and width of the device 100 also acts as atray to support and protect the optical fibers 102 from the surface onwhich the device 100 is placed.

The device 100 also has a distal end 118 where there is a number ofopenings 120 to receive and organize the individual optical fibers 102.While there are a different number of openings 110 at the proximal end108 (eight are illustrated) than there are openings 120 at the distalend 118 (twelve are illustrated), there may be the same number ofopenings at both the proximal end 108 and the distal end 118.Alternatively, there could be more openings 120 at the distal end 118than at the proximal end 108. It is also to be noted that while onegrouping of optical fibers 102 is illustrated as occupying a singleopening 112, there could be more than one grouping of optical fibers ineach of the openings 112. See, e.g., FIG. 4. It is also possible thatthere be only one large opening 110 at the proximal end 108, dependingon the number of sets of optical fibers or the configuration in whichthe optical fibers are presented. If the first grouping 104 includes afiber optic cable with a plurality of 12 fiber ribbons, then only oneopening 110 may be needed.

The openings 120 at the distal end 118 also have a number of dividers122. The openings 120 should be wide enough to hold the number ofoptical fibers in the desired fiber ribbon between the dividers 122. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom portion 114 extends from theproximal end 108 to the distal end 118 and the optical fibers lie flaton the bottom portion 114. If there were no bottom portion 114, then theoptical fibers 102 would lie flat on the surface upon which the device100 is placed.

In FIG. 3, only some of the optical fibers 102 are illustrated to makethe illustration more clear. However, as noted above, the fiber opticcables and ribbons usually include 12 optical fibers, which is why thereare 12 openings 120 at the distal end 118. Some fiber optic cables mayinclude multiple sets of 12 optical fibers, too.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the optical fibers 102, once they have beenrearranged and are in order at second groupings 106, the optical fibers102 are preferably secured to prevent the order of the optical fibersfrom being accidentally changed. In this case, the optical fibers 102are illustrated being ribbonized using the fiber ribbonizing tool 130provided by the Applicant of this applicant, US Conec, Ltd., which isfully described and covered by U.S. Pat. No. 9,128,214, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein in their entirety. Alternatively, theoptical fibers 102 could be secured in other ways, including a heatshrink tube, etc.

A second embodiment of a device 200 for reorganizing optical fibers 202from a first grouping or set 204 to a second grouping or set 206 isillustrated. The first grouping or set 204 of optical fibers isillustrated as 16 different fiber optic cables that have twelveribbonized optical fibers 202. Again, the first grouping 204 of opticalfibers 202 may also be 12 (or more or fewer) ribbonized optical fibers202 that may or may not have another protective covering. (It should benoted that with the 192 total optical fibers 202 in device 200, showingthe path of each of those fibers would be less than clear and the centerportion of the reorganization of optic fibers therefore has beeneliminated for clarity purposes).

The device 200 has a proximal end 208 having a number of openings 210through which the optical fibers 202 in the first grouping 204 pass. Theopenings 210 are essentially U-shaped due to divider 212 between each ofthe openings 210 and a bottom portion 214. The bottom portion 214, whichmay extend the length and width of the device 200, also acts as a trayto support and protect the optical fibers 202 from the surface on whichthe device 200 is placed. Each of the dividers 212 also have apassageway 230 that is in communication with the opening 210 on eitherside of the divider 212. The passageways 230 are configured to receive aretaining member 232, which when inserted into the passageway 230 makesthe openings 210 into a square or rectangular shape (from the U-shapedopenings noted above). This helps to retain the first groupings 204 ofoptical fibers 202 within the device 200 at proximal end 208. Thedividers 212 also have a top surface 234 that is flat and parallel tothe bottom portion 214 and the axis of the optical fibers, i.e., fromproximal end to distal end. The dividers 212 also have a bottom portion226 that is attached to the proximal end 208. See FIG. 4A.

The device 200 also has a distal end 218 where there are a number ofopenings 220 to receive and organize the individual optical fibers 202.Again, there can be a different number of openings 210 at the proximalend 208 than there are openings 220 at the distal end 218, or the samenumber.

The openings 220 at the distal end 218 also have a number of dividers222. The dividers 222 have a top surface 234 and the openings 220 arevertical relative to the device 200. As illustrated in more detail inFIG. 5, the openings 220 extend from the top surface 234 towards thebottom surface 214. This is rotated 90 degrees relative to the otherembodiment, meaning that the optical fibers 202 are positioned on top ofone another rather than side-by-side. The openings 220 have a width thatis preferably smaller than the width of two optical fibers (opticalfibers have a diameter and thus a width of about 125 microns). Thus, theopenings 220 would have a width of less than 250 microns to prevent theoptical fibers 202 from moving in order relative to one another. Once anoptical fiber 202 is placed within the opening 220, the order does notchange relative to the other fibers in the opening 220. Thus, if anoptical fiber is placed in the opening 220 as the third one, it will notbe able to slide past other optical fiber and change positions (tosecond or fourth) within the opening 220.

The dividers 222 at the distal end 218 also have a chamfered surface 236that extends from the top surface 234 towards to the bottom surface 214.At the end of the chamfered surface 236 is a projection 238 that extendsinto the opening 220. The projections 238 narrow the openings 220 toless then the width of an optical fiber—125 microns. The dividers 222are somewhat resilient and can be moved slightly as the fibers areinserted into the opening 220. Thus, when an optical fiber 202 isinserted into the opening 220, at least one of the dividers 222 oneither side of the opening 220 flexes outward to allow the optical fiber202 to be inserted past the projection 238 and into the opening 220below the projections 238. The projections 238 prevent the opticalfibers from exiting out of the openings 220 back up and through the topsurface 234. There are two projections illustrated in FIG. 5, but therecould be a projection 238 on only one side and there need not be achamfered surface 236. The openings 220 may be of any length asillustrated in FIG. 5. Indeed, there can be separate devices 200 fordifferent numbers of optical fibers being reorganized. In the embodimentof device 200, there are 16 fibers illustrated that are to bedistributed to each of the openings 220. However, there could only be 8,12, or any other number of optical fibers. As such, the technician mayhave the option for using a smaller device (or thinner device given thatthe openings 220 extend from above the surface of the bottom portion 214toward the top surface 234 of the dividers 222) to reorganize theoptical fibers.

The device 200 may also have other ways to retain the optical fibers 202within the openings 220 and not use the projections 238. As an example,the openings 220 may be only the width of the optical fiber, preventingthe optical fiber from moving within the slot due to engagement of theoptical fiber with the dividers 222. There may also be a pressuresensitive adhesive that is applied in the openings 220 to retain theoptical fibers 202 therein.

The device 200 also has side walls 240 to assist in protecting theoptical fibers 202. The two side walls 240 extend from the proximal end208 to the distal end 218 and have a top surface 242, which is parallelto and even with the top surfaces of the dividers 212 and 222. Indeed,the dividers 212 and 222 could be considered to be a part of walls thatextend along the proximal end 208 and the distal end 218 to join withwalls 240, with the openings 210 and 220 interrupting the walls at theproximal and distal ends 208,218 above the bottom portion 214.

Another view of the device 200 is in FIG. 6 from the distal end 218 witha lid or top 250. The lid 250 has a main body portion 252, the undersideof which is to engage the upper surfaces of the dividers 234 and theupper surface 242 of the walls 240, if present. The lid 250 has at leastfour edges 254 and one side portion 256, the side portion 256 extendsfrom the main body 252 adjacent one edge 254 in a generally orthogonaldirection to a plane in which the main body lies. The side portion 256aligns with the distal end 218 (beyond the end of the device 200 as theoptical fibers exit the device 200) to compress the optical fibers 202in each of the openings 220. This allows the optical fibers 202 to beribbonized quite easily. The distance that the side portion 256 extendsdownward below the main body 252 will determine the compression of theoptical fibers 202. As a result, a given device 200 may have a number oflids 250 with different sizes of side portions 256. For the device 200as illustrated, a lid 250 for compressing 16 optical fibers would have ashorter side portion 256 than a lid for compressing 12 optical fiberssince there would be more space between the top optical fiber and thetop surface 234 of the dividers 222 for 12 optical fibers. Similarly,the side portion 256 would be longer for 8 fibers than one for 12optical fibers, again because of the larger space between the topoptical fiber and the top surface 234 of the dividers 222 when there arejust 8 optical fibers.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate what can be done with the optical fibers 202that have been reorganized or rearranged using the device 200. In manyapplications, the second sets of optical fibers 206 (and 106) will beribbonized to be installed in multi-fiber ferrules. As illustrated inFIG. 7A, a second grouping of optical fibers 206 are ribbonized whilestill being held within the device 200. One method of ribbonizing thesecond groupings 206 of optical fibers 202 is using the fiberribbonizing tool 130, noted above. It is also possible to use othermethods of ribbonizing the second grouping 206 of optical fibers 202. Itis important to keep the order of the optical fibers 202 in the secondgrouping 206. Alternatively, the fiber ribbonizing tool 130 could beused to ribbonize the ends of the optical fibers (to maintain the order)and the remainder of the length of the opticals fibers could beribbonized in a different way or otherwise protected (e.g., insertedinto a split tube, or wrapped with a spiral wrap). FIG. 7B shows theends of the second grouping 206 of optical fibers 202 ribbonized andready for other protection. Additionally, it should be noted that theoptical fibers could be first fed through a heat shrink tube afterexiting the device 200 and order of the optical fibers is maintained onthe other side of the heat shrink tube.

Another variation of a lid 270 that can be used with the device 200 isillustrated in FIG. 8. The lid 270 has a main body portion 272, theunderside of which is to engage the upper surfaces of the dividers 234and the upper surface 242 of the walls 240 as in the prior embodiment.The lid 270 has edges 274 and one side portion 276. The main bodyportion 272 extends beyond the distal end 218 of the device 200 morethan the prior lid. This allows there to be a space 278 between thedistal end 218 and the side portion 276. The side portion 276 has slots280 that extend from the bottom edge 282 of the side portion 276 upwardtoward the center of the side portion 276 and terminate in a roundopening 284. Thus, the second grouping 206 of optical fibers 202 exitthe device 200 in a ribbon format and then transition to a round bundlebecause of the round opening 284 in the side portion 276. The opticalfibers 202 can be inserted into a heat shrink tube 286 as they exit theround openings 284. The ends 288 of the optical fibers 202 of the secondgrouping 206 can then be ribbonized prior to placing the heat shrinkover the optical fibers so as not to lose the order of the opticalfibers and mounted in multi-fiber ferrules (not shown). Additionally,the heat shrink tubes 286 can be secured to the lid 270 to providefurther protection of the optical fibers 202.

Another embodiment of a device 300 for reorganizing optical fibers 302from a first grouping or sets 304 to a second grouping or set 306 isillustrated. The first grouping or set 304 of optical fibers isillustrated as 4 loose optical fibers in 4 different cable jackets, butmay be of any number of optical fibers and sets of configurations.

The device 300 has a proximal end 308 having a number of openings 310through which the optical fibers 302 in the first groupings 304 pass.The openings 310 are voids in a wall 340, which create dividers 312between the openings 310. The dividers 312 have passageways 330 that arein communication with the opening 310 on either side of the divider 312.The passageways 330 are configured to receive a retaining member 332,which when inserted into the passageway 330 makes the openings 310 intoa square or rectangular shape and helps to retain the first groupings304 of optical fibers 302 within the device 300.

The device 300 may have a bottom portion 314, which may extend thelength and width of the device 300 or be open. The dividers 312 alsohave a top surface 334 that is flat and parallel to the bottom portion314 and the axis of the optical fibers, i.e., from proximal end todistal end.

The device 300 also has a distal end 318 where there are a number ofopenings 320 to receive and organize the individual optical fibers 302into the second grouping or set 306. Again, there can be a differentnumber of openings 310 at the proximal end 308 than there are openings320 at the distal end 318, or the same number.

The openings 320 at the distal end 318 extend from the top surface ofthe wall 340 downward into the wall. The openings 320 are more L-shapeddue to the openings penetrating downward from the top surface 334 andthen make a right turn in a horizontal direction. See also FIG. 10. Theopenings 320 have a width that is preferably smaller than the width oftwo optical fibers (optical fibers have a diameter and thus a width ofabout 125 microns). Thus, the openings 320 would have a width of lessthan 250 microns to prevent the optical fibers 302 from moving in orderrelative to one another. Once an optical fiber 302 is placed within theopening 320, it does not move sideways (due to the right turn of theopening) relative to the other fibers in the opening 320. The openings320 also have projections 338 that extend into the openings 320 from thewall 340. As with the prior embodiments, there may be more than oneprojection 338 that narrows the openings 320 to less than the width ofthe opening 320.

Another embodiment of a device 400 for reorganizing optical fibers isillustrated. In this embodiment, the device is thinner (from top surfaceof the walls 440 and dividers 412,422 to the bottom surface 414) butwider than the other embodiments. The openings 420 at the distal end 418are also L-shaped as in the prior embodiment. There are also dividers422 that are positioned between the opening 420, but are inside thedevice 400 from the openings 420. The dividers 420 assist in insertingthe optical fibers 402 into the openings 420. With the openings 420having an L-shape and also having the projections 438, this embodimentis therefore like a combination of the first device 100 and the seconddevice 200. The device 400 is wider to allow for better visualization ofthe optical fibers but includes the openings 420 at the distal end 418that prevent the optical fibers from moving relative to one another asis possible with device 100.

Another embodiment of a device 500 is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.The device 500 is very similar to devices 300 and 400, but allows forthe ribbonization of the optical fibers after they have beenreorganized. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the device 500 is forreorganizing optical fibers 502 from a first grouping or set 504 to asecond grouping or set 506. The first grouping or set 504 of opticalfibers is illustrated as optical fiber ribbons, but could be anyconfiguration (ribbons, cables, etc. as with the other embodiments) andany number of optical fibers.

The device 500 has a proximal end 508 having a number of openings 510through which the optical fibers 502 in the first grouping 504 pass. Theopenings 510 are U-shaped openings in a wall 540 at the proximal end518. There is a divider 512 between each of the openings 510. Each ofthe dividers 512 also have a passageway 530 that is in communicationwith the opening 510 on either side of the divider 512. The passageways530 are configured to receive a retaining member 532, which wheninserted into the passageway makes the openings 510 into a square orrectangular shape (from the U-shaped openings noted above). This alsohelps to retain the first groupings 504 of optical fibers 502 within thedevice 500. The dividers 512 also have a top surface 534 that is flatand parallel to the axis of the optical fibers, i.e., from proximal endto distal end. The dividers 512 also have a bottom portion 536 that isattached to the proximal end 508 (or is considered to be a portion ofthe wall 540).

The device 500 also has a distal end 518 where there are a number ofopenings 520 to receive and organize the individual optical fibers 502.Again, there can be a different number of openings 510 at the proximalend 508 than there are openings 520 at the distal end 518, or the samenumber.

The openings 520 at the distal end 518 also have a number of dividers522. The dividers 522 have a top surface 534 and the openings 520 aremore L-shaped due to the openings 520 penetrating downward from the topsurface 534 and then make a right turn in a horizontal direction. Theopenings 520 have at least a portion where the width is smaller than thewidth of two optical fibers. Thus, the openings 520 would have a portionwhere the width is less than 250 microns to prevent the optical fibers502 from moving in order relative to one another. Once an optical fiber502 is placed within the opening 520, it does not move relative to theother fibers in the opening 520, i.e., it will not be able to slide pastother optical fibers and change positions within the opening 520.

The dividers 522 may have a projection 538 that extends into the opening520. The projections 538 narrow the openings to less than the width ofan optical fiber—125 microns. The dividers 522 are somewhat resilientand can be moved slightly by a technician. Thus, when an optical fiber502 is inserted into the opening 520, at least one of the dividers 522on either side of the opening 520 flexes to allow the optical fiber 502to be inserted into the opening beyond the projections 538. Theprojections 538 prevent the optical fibers from exiting out of theopenings 520. The distal end 518 also has a wall portion 544 that isconnected to, but movable relative to, wall 540. The wall portion 544can be moved relative to wall 540 in order to ribbonize the opticalfibers exiting from the openings 522. The openings 522 may haveribbonizing material disposed therein after the rearrangement of theoptical fibers. Since the optical fibers are locked into the arrangementby the width of the openings 522, moving the two portions of the device500 relative to one another would cause ribbonizing material to bespread along the optical fibers 502 when moved from the first positionof FIG. 11 to the second position in FIG. 12.

The device 500 may have a bottom portion 514, which may extend thelength and width of the device 500, also acts as a tray to support andprotect the optical fibers 502 from the surface on which the device 500is placed. However, the bottom portion is not connected to the wall 540and wall 544 (i.e., all the way around the device 500). Rather, if abottom portion 514 is provided (it need not be), the bottom portioncould occupy the entirety of the device 500 in the first position ofFIG. 11. However, the bottom portion 514 can only be attached to one ofthe walls 540 and 544 so that the two walls can be moved relative to oneanother.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents

We claim:
 1. A method for reorganizing a plurality of optical fibers,the plurality of optical fibers having a diameter, comprising: receivingthe plurality of optical fibers at a device, the device having aplurality of openings with a divider therebetween and each of theplurality of openings having a width that is greater than the diameterof the plurality of optical fiber and less than twice the diameter ofthe optical fibers; passing at least two optical fibers from theplurality of optical fibers through one of the plurality of openings;and retaining the at least two optical fibers with a fixed relativepositioning thereof within the one of the plurality of openings.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the passing the at least two optical fiberscomprises resiliently moving the dividers during an insertion of each ofthe at least two optical fibers into the one of the plurality ofopenings.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of opticalfibers includes loose optical fibers and the at least two optical fibersare ribbonized.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofoptical fibers are divided into at least two groupings, each groupinghaving at least two optical fibers.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of: passing at least two optical fibers from theplurality of optical fibers through a second one of the plurality ofopenings; and retaining the at least two optical fibers with a fixedrelative positioning thereof within the second one of the plurality ofopenings.
 6. A method of rearranging optical fibers from a firstgrouping to a different second grouping, each of the optical fibershaving a diameter, the method comprising: providing the optical fibersin a first grouping at a rearrangement device having a plurality ofopenings separated by at least one divider therebetween, each of theplurality of openings having a width more than the diameter of theoptical fibers and less than twice the diameter of the optical fibers;enlarging the width of a first one of the plurality of openings toinsert a first optical fiber therein; inserting a second optical fiberin the first one of the plurality of openings; and reducing the width ofthe opening to an original width prior to said enlarging to maintain therelative positions of the optical fibers in the first one of a pluralityof openings to yield a different second arrangement thereof.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the maintaining the relative positions of theoptical fibers comprises maintaining the order of the optical fiberswithin the opening in the second grouping.
 8. The method of claim 6,further comprising the step of providing optical fibers in a thirdgrouping at the rearrangement device and wherein the second opticalfiber inserted into the first one of the plurality of openings is fromthe third grouping.
 9. The method of claim 6, further comprising thesteps of: enlarging the width of a second one of the plurality ofopenings to insert a first optical fiber therein; inserting a secondoptical fiber in the second one of the plurality of openings; andreducing the width of the opening to an original width prior to saidenlarging to maintain the relative positions of the optical fibers inthe first one of a plurality of openings to yield a different secondarrangement thereof.